PERIWINKLE. 10'J 



The inharmonious name of Periwinkle we pre- 

 sume is more the cause of this flower being so 



to 



generally omitted in poetical writings, than any 

 want of attraction in the flower itself. 



There is a delightful softness in the blue colour 

 of the Periwinkle, and a quietness in the whole 

 appearance of the flower, that seems to harmonize 

 with the situation in which it flourishes ; for it 

 rather seeks the shady banks of the grove than to 

 meet the meridian sun in society of the gayer plants 

 of the parterre. 



It is a pretty plant to cover the banks of hedge- 

 rows and shrubbery grounds, and contrasts well, in 

 such situations, with the Primrose, as the dark 

 rich green foliage of the Vinca forms as happy a 

 mixture with the pale puckered leaves of the 

 Primula, as the delicate yellow of the corollas of 

 the latter plant do with the sky-blue of the former 

 flower; and, although the opposition of the two 

 colours is great, it is as mild as the effect of the 

 silver stars in the blue atmosphere. 



They are both plants that should decorate rustic 

 scenes and rural walks, rather than approach the 

 gay parts of the garden ; they should thickly 

 spangle both the wilderness part of the shrubbery 

 and the woodland banks, where Milton says — 



Wisdom's self 

 Oft seeks to sweet retired solitude ; 



VOL. I. I 



